Marin Termite Control

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

After one of the driest California years on record, the
rain and winter season is back and the last three storms have show us what
amount of rain Mother Nature can drop in a short period. During the holiday
season and cold and wet winter months, we often forget about termites and other
household pests unless we see them swarming or trailing inside our home. But rainfall can bring back dampness into crawlspaces,
basements and interior wall voids. Particularly during winter months, moisture
is a leading cause of ants, termites, wood boring beetles, dry rot and mildew
or even mold in houses. While remaining inside, we often forget about clogged
gutters, downspouts, surface drains and underground drain lines. When roof,
gutters and downspouts are obstructed by tree debris and roofing granules, and
when surface drain grates and underground drain lines are clogged with dirt or
debris, this can cause water to pool around the structure and seep into
basements, substructure areas and under concrete slabs. Water in and around a home can cause many problems. Here
are a few examples of problems caused by inadequate drainage and excessive
moisture:

Seepage and dampness into
substructure areas

Surface water and damp
substructure soil

Fungus, mildew and mold in
sub-areas, walls, floors and closets

Deformation, rippling and buckling
of hardwood floors

Staining, musty smell and mildew
in carpeting and vinyl flooring

Rusting of earthquake anchors
bolts, ties, nails and carpet strips

Soil erosion and liquefaction
around piers, foundations and slabs

Settlement or foundations, slabs,
patios, decks and concrete pads

Bowed and slopping interior floors

Door and window swelling
preventing proper closing and operation

Cracking in sheet rock covered
walls and ceilings

Gaps and voids around molding and
trims at ceiling, windows and doors

Surface water in contact with
heating ducts and plenums

Sump pumps overwhelmed or failing
with too much seepage

Rusting re-bars within foundations
can cause concrete spalling

Gutters overflowing and rotting
eaves, rafter tails and siding

Gutters and downspouts rusting
more quickly and leaking

Electrical cables corroding with
surface water in sub-areas

Data cables (TV, internet, alarm,
etc.) failing or short-circuiting

Plumbing pipes corroding and
leaking with surface water and damp soil

Wood boring beetles infesting damp
substructure wood members

Termites infesting wood members
within sub-areas, floors and walls

Argentine ants moving nests out of
substructure soil to wall voids.

Rodents moving from flooded
substructure areas into walls and ceilings

So the winter rainy season is great times to have your
house inspected. Many of the issues mentioned
above are not visible or discernible during the dry season and particularly
during a drought year.

During winter inspections we often discovered defective
sump pumps, flooded heating ducts and heater plenums, electrical and data
cables submerged in surface water or corroding on damp soil. An inspection can
also reveal plumbing leaks, sewer lines discharging in sub-areas, disconnected
or leaking heating ducts as well as leaking showers, toilet stools, sinks,
refrigerators, washing machines and dyer vents.

These along with wet, damp, sagging or downed insulation
contribute to higher utility bills. With every inch of rainfall, the roof
surface of a typical 1800 square foot home will discharge well over 1200
gallons of roof water against the foundation. Depending on the topography, soil
condition and drainage installation seepage can vary greatly. With adequate
drainage and ventilation, a typical substructure area should remain dry or
experience minor soil dampness with no surface water pooling anywhere. But if
drainage is insufficient or non-existent substructure areas can fill up quickly
and remains flooded for weeks or even months.

Moisture is the main cause
for infestation and infection in homes. Insects and fungus need air, food and
water to survive and will more likely infest and cause damage in homes with
excessive moisture conditions. Water can come from above (gravity), from below
(capillary), from thermal exchange (condensation) or a combination resulting in
high moisture content inside homes. During cold winter months, bathroom windows
are kept closed during and after showers adding more moisture to interiors. All
this and moisture from surface water and wet soil in sub-areas can add over 47
quarts of humidity to the daily 20 quarts produced by a household of 4. Modern
homes are well insulated and heaters cannot dry interiors and walls like older
wood stoves and fireplaces did before.

Moisture
intrusion can come from cracks and voids to exterior wood and stucco walls,
aging paint, siding, inadequate or missing flashing around windows, doors,
exterior wood trim and protrusions. Leaking or incorrectly installed windows,
doors and deck attachments can contribute to leaks and moisture intrusion.
Older roof, flashing, gutters & downspouts can also cause leaks and
moisture intrusion. Finally vegetation growth against the structure can raise
humidity lasting for long periods in some areas.

Health Risks and Hazards:
Excessive moisture in homes can also cause health problems. Beyond smell and
discomfort, allergies and some diseases are more prominent in a humid
environment. Fungi infestation cause not just wood decay damage but mildew and
mold inside but also in enclosed areas like cabinets, closets and wall voids.
It also develop behind beds, furniture and beneath carpeting. Bathrooms,
kitchens and the northern side of homes are more prone to fungal activity. Over
time, some mildew and mold can carry airborne spores that may cause health
hazards to some allergic persons.

Maintenance:
Owners should periodically check and report to the appropriate professionals
surface water and rust stains, high humidity and damp smell, pest infestation
as well as settlement cracks and damaged or deformed floors. Calling a trained
and experienced licensed professional is the best way to prevent problems and
obtain an expert’s recommendation. It is also important to observe the
surrounding environment and location of the building that may subject the
structure to adverse conditions.

Prevention:
Installing drainage within and around the structure is a must. At the very
least, grading to slope away from the structure and downspouts should be fitted
with extensions channeling water away from the structure, not just a few feet.
Ideally underground downspout drain lines and French drains should take water
to the street or a sump pump well and away from the foundations.

Installing
a vapor barrier on substructure soil will create a drier environment. But this
will only work if drainage is adequate and functional. Periodically serviced
and operational sump pumps are critical in areas where water accumulates below
grade, such as in deep crawl spaces, basements and on low level grounds.
Adequate insulation with proper ventilation will also help deter excessive
moisture in crawlspaces and bathrooms. Aerating the interior and adequate
ventilation is also critical in tight and enclosed areas such as closets and
storage rooms. Properly flashed windows, doors and roofs are crucial as well as
caulked and painted areas are also critical. Finally, all parts and equipment
found in a home need periodic servicing and inspection.

Conclusion:
If it doesn’t look, feel or smell right… it probably isn’t! During the course
of property maintenance, observe the grounds and structure. Keep your home dry
and aerate interiors as often as possible. Along
with treatments and repairs, winter is the perfect time to install vapor
barrier installation and extensions to downspouts to improve moisture conditions and keep sub-areas dry.

Call Marin Termite to have a
licensed professional inspect your home. It is economically wise and may
prevent costly repairs. Remember: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
correction. Maintain your property in good working condition, replace aging and
failing components and have all critical equipment routinely checked and
serviced by licensed or certified professionals.

Friday, April 25, 2014

It is Carpenter Bee season and this year
more than often than last year, they are spotted buzzing around homes and back yards worrying many. But fear
not, as Carpenter Bees are more a friend than a foe.

There are over 500 species of Carpenter
Bees (Xylocopa) that can be found throughout the world. In California
and Marin the California Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa Californica) nest in
trees and wooden structures. Carpenter Bees do not feed on wood like termites
but forage on pollen like their common honeybee counterparts. They are easily
recognized by their dark shiny charcoal black color with a beautiful
well-rounded body. They are often noticed during the warm season from early
spring to late fall when we see them flying around our structures and back yards
busy preparing their nest for winter. Males are the same color and shape but do
not have a stinger and never attack, while female carpenter bees do have a
stinger but will only defend themselves and their nest when provoked.

Nesting and Infestations:

Carpenter Bees carve a large hole opening that leads to one
main channel with several small alcove chambers each housing one egg. Six to 8
eggs are laid in the fall where they remain dormant all winter. The eggs will
hatch and the bees will exit the wood the following spring. The eggs closest to
the surface will exist first allowing the deepest laid eggs to hatch and exit
last. To this day, it remains a great mystery to entomologists how the first
eggs laid in the rear chambers are the last ones to hatch, while the last eggs
laid will hatch first. Most homeowners will notice pencil like fine shavings
(or frass) below the holes where the bees carve the wood to create their
galleries and chambers within wood members. We often see them in trim boards,
rafter tails, roof fascias, arbors, pergolas and other exposed wood members.
Carpenter bees will infest any type of softwood including redwood and cedar
wood members,

Carpenter Bees are pollinators and contribute greatly to the
local ecosystem. They are not considered a major structural pest like termites
or wood boring beetles as homeowner usually find them annoying and will try to
get rid of them before wood members can be severally damaged. They can also be
often found in dead trees and woodpiles, fences, sheds, balconies and decks.
Carpenter Bees are mostly solitary insects, sometimes living in small groups
with mothers, daughters or related siblings living nearby but not sharing the
same nest holes. Left alone they will not be aggressive and can become a fun or
annoying distraction.

Preventing and Eliminating
Carpentar Bee Infestations:

Carpenter Bees being indigenous to California,
the best is to prevent infestations through preventative maintenance and treat
when necessary.

4)Seal
cracks and openings in the eaves and siding, especially at pipes, cables and
other protrusions.

5) Call a beekeeper to
remove and relocate the infested wood member if possible, thereby allow bees to
continue pollinating somewhere else.

6) Otherwise call us for a treatment to the galleries and plugging the holes with epoxy wood
filler. We use epoxy over bondo type material that bees can remove
to continue their business.

Horntail Wasps

The horntail wasps are rare in
structures and at 1 to 1.5” inch long with an additional ¾” long stout
ovipositor (egg-laying device) Horntail Wasps appear more ominous than they
really are.

There is about 20 species of
Horntail Wasps form the Siricdae family and while adults do not eat
wood, their larvae do. Some species have beautiful colors ranging from brightly
color metallic blue to yellow, red and black. Some lay eggs into hardwood but
most favor softwood such as pine. The infestation starts in dead and burned
trees after a forest fire where the female likes to lay her eggs. Once the tree
is harvested, cut into lumber and used in construction, the dormant eggs can
hatch if the wood is not kiln dried to kill the eggs and larvae. The larvae
will molt and the adults emerge several years later sometimes scaring occupants
of a structure. Fortunately these insects don’t re-infest structures and no treatment
is needed. When Horntail Wasps emerge they seek to go outside and homeowners
should simply let them go out and caulk and paint the exit hole left behind.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Marin Termite Control aims to be at the
forefront of environmentally safer and the most effective termite solutions.
Years of experience, communication with the entomology departments of UC
Berkeley and UC Riverside, customer feedback and record tracking help us to
provide our customers with the most reliable treatments and the lowest impact
on the environment.

Termidor-SC has been used in California for both subterranean
and drywood termites over 15 years, in the US, Canada and Europe for over 20
years and has a proven record as a reliable low-risk termiticide. Termidor is
not systemic and does not affect plant life around your home.The active ingredient “Fipronil” is found in
Frontline and Fiproguard pet products for flea
control. Termidor is a non-repellent termiticide (no odor, fumes, color or
taste) approved for both subterranean and drywood termites and has a transfer
effect between termites through grooming and feeding (trophallaxis).

Altriset is a newer generation of termiticide using anthranilic
diamides (from the Ryania genius tree) with the lowest toxicity level of all termiticides.
Altriset’s active ingredient “Chlorantaniliprole” is reported as having no
effect on mammals (humans, pets, cattle, etc.) and not systemic with plants.
Altriset is approved for subterranean termite treatments only and is a
non-repellent termiticide (no odor, fumes, color or taste) and has a transfer
effect between termites through grooming and feeding (trophallaxis).
Unfortunatelly our record tracking shows more recalls for retreatment with
Altriset and its effectivneess against subterrenean termites has proven to be
inferior to Termidor.

TimBor & BoraCare are a borate based
insecticides/fungicides (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) used in the US for
over 20 years. Borate, borax and boric salts have been used as a food
preservative, insecticide and fungicide for centuries. Boron is a natural earth
deposit dating over 20 million ago. Over 50% of the world’s borate is produced
in the mines of Boron California. Though lacking the transfer effect of
Termidor and Altriset, TimBor and BoraCare are effective against drywood
termites and wood-boring Beeltes as well as fungi/dry-rot infestation to wood
members. They are not used against subterranean termite soil treatments, as
they are also herbicides that can affect nearby plant life.

Optigard-ZTis approved only for drywood termite and is an older
generation of non-repellents used since the 90s. The active ingredient is using
thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid and its effectiveness against drywood
termite has prooven inferior to Termidor-SC, TimBor and XT-2000. This product
is systemic and should not be used around vegetable gardens and crops.

XT-2000 is approved only for drywood
termites and is an odorous repellent (d-limonene) extracted from the rind of
citrus fruit. Commonly called orange oil, d-limonene is very acidic and should
be applied cautionly as it may cause skin, eye and respiratory reactions. The
product does not have a transfer effect between termites, is a repellent that
can be detected by termites that will avoid it. Orange oil is not lasting once
dry several days after application. Its effectiveness against drywood termites
has proven to be inferior to Termidor-SC and TimBor. Some pest control
companies will advocate orange oil as a marketing tool but always use it in
conjunction with another product like Termidor or Timbor/BoraCare to lessen
calls for retreatments against drywood termites.

Premise-75 is approved for both subterranean and drywood
termite and is an older generation of non-repellents used since the 90s. The
active ingredient is using imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid and its
effectiveness against drywood termite has prooven inferior to all other tested
products (see table below). This product is systemic and should not be used
around vegetable gardens and crops. Most pest control companies will prefer
using another more reliable product against subterranean and drywood termites.

Natural Oils:Other oil extracts from
pine, juniper, clove, peppercorn and mint are all terpenes type oils similar to
orange oil and have been tried against various insects including drywood
termites with less than satisfactory results. Natural oil extracts are acidic
and should be used cautiously with the proper protective equipment as they may
cause eye, skin and respiratory problems. Natural oil extracts cannot be used
as a soil treatment against subterranean termites as they can affect nearby
soil and water tables with rains and landscape irrigation.

Freezing, Heating, Microwaving: Temperature and
electronic treatments against drywood termites have been attempted several
times in the past and all have many limitations and less than satifactory
results. Freezing cannot be used where plumbing pipes and other sensitive
materials are present. Heating cannot be used where plastics and vinyl material
are present nearby or within walls(vinyl windows, ABS, PVC,
electrical/electronic cables) and Microwaving cannot be used where metal is
present (nails, ties, anchors, electrical cables, etc.). Additionally the cost
of freezing and heating a structure makes these alternatives too expensive
against other conventional treatments and these are seldom used unless in a
highly controlled environment for crops and wood based products in containers
and kilns.

Most Effective Termite Treatments:Termidor, Altriset, TimBor/BoraCare, Optiguard & Premise are non-repellents termiticides that do not have anysmell, taste or vapors, while X-2000 and other oil based terpenes have a smell, taste and emanate vapors that termites can detect and avoid. Only Termidor and Altriset have a transfer effect where contaminated termites pass the termiticide onto others through grooming & trophylaxis (mouth-to-mouth feeding). XT-2000 and other oil extracts are repellent-contact insecticide that does not have a transfer effect and do not remain effective once dry. Termidor is the most effective at eradicating an entire colony within a few days or weeks. Termidor is the only product effective against both subterranen and drywood termites that remains effective for years and provide a long lasting protection against termite infestations without any smell, vapors and short or long-term impact on the landscape and grounds surrounding your home.

Subterranean termites travel underground through cracks, voids and decaying tree roots.
Studies show they branch out in multiple areas often infesting structures
through multiple entry points at the perimeter of the structure, through slabs
and in subareas. They feed on the wood and return the food to the underground
nest. Because Termidor and Altriset have no smell, taste or color, termites do
not detect or avoid it and are attracted to the moist treatment.

Drywood termites feed and live in the wood without any ground contact.
They too are attracted to the moist treatment when it is injected into the wood
and do not avoid Termidor which has no taste, smell or fumes unlike other oil
based inseticides like XT 2000 orange oil and other plant based terpenes.

Conclusion: Termidor-SC is faster acting and longer lasting than other
termiticides like TimBor/BorCare, Altriset,
Optigard-ZT, XT-2000 and Premise-75. Termidor-SC remains a low impact termiticide most effective against both subterranean and drywood termites.

Call Marin Termite Control at 415-456-9620 and check our website at www.marintermite.com
for additional information.

Friday, January 10, 2014

We all want a healthier environment; organic foods, natural
products, better air quality, clean water and fewer pesticides. No wonder many
ask us if and how can pests be eliminated without using harmful pesticides.

Along with green construction, sustainable pest control is
achievable but does require a new way of thinking, planning and building. It
also means a little more maintenance and using low-impact products and
ecologically sound materials when necessary. In other words: “Working with
nature rather than fighting it.”

Green Construction:“An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure.” Consult first with your architect, contractor
and pest control operator to avoid creating or leaving existing conditions that
lead to infestations.

Good drainage in and around structures to prevent
moisture intrusion and water pooling in crawl spaces

Know friends and chase away foes: Spiders, birds,
lizards, and some beetles are all pest predators

Use non-toxic traps or repellents to avoid secondary
wildlife poisoning (e.g. birds of pray and reptiles)

When using retail available products, always follow the
label never exceeding recommendations

Consult with a licensed professional before adding,
remodeling or modifying any improvements

Call to get a periodic pest inspection by a State
Licensed Professional to discover infestations early

Low Impact Pest Control: Nature is tenacious
and in spite of the above recommendations it may still find ways to infest.
Gone are the days of creosote, chlordane and such other pesticides that were
common around homes. Decades of public awareness, research and development have
lead to more target specific and safer products eliminating pests without
affecting occupants, the local ecosystem or surrounding environment.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Some of our customers
are surprised to learn that there are several types of termites in our
neighborhood and that infestations, damage and treatments can vary greatly. So!
Here is everything you ever wanted to know about termites and never dared to
ask…

Termites are small
xylophagous (wood eating) insects that consume dead wood and other wood
bi-products containing cellulose like cardboard, paper, laminates and other
wood based composites. Like ants and bees, termites are eusocial insects with
generally one queen, soldiers to defend the colony and mostly workers who
forage and feed all the members of the colony. The male (or king) will die
shortly after mating with the queen who will be pregnant for the remained of
her life (15 to 30 years depending on specie). Soldiers and workers are all
drones and the workers are the ones who actually cause wood damage, ingest the
wood and feed others through regurgitation known as trophallaxis.

Termites have protozoa
in their intestinal tract that allows them to digest wood cellulose. Curiously,
they are not born with these protozoa in their gut, but acquire it through
feeding from others. Lab research has shown that termites without protozoa will
die of starvation, even when fed wood cellulose.

What
Are Termite Swarms?

In addition to the
queen, king, soldiers and workers, and once the colony is big and mature
enough, some of the colony members will grow sexual organs and wings to become
winged reproductive males and females also known as Alates (future kings and
queens). Once fully developed, they will patiently wait for the perfect time to
fly or swarm. Their sole purpose during the swarm is to mate and start a new
colony. Swarmers will be fed by workers until the swarm occurs and they will not
feed during the swarm. Termite alates swarm in large numbers, as their chances
of survival are quite small. Most will fall prey to predators (birds, other
insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, etc.), many will die of dehydration or
exhaustion in the wrong environment before they can mate, and the few lucky
ones to find a mate may not find a suitable place to start a colony. Yet in
spite of insurmountable odds, some do survive to start new colonies.

Swarms occur several times a year between early spring and
late fall. Customers often ask if swarming termites sting or bite; But termites
do not have any biting or stinging mouth parts, do not feed on blood and are
not interested in human or pet skin. Termites aren’t even interested in live
trees and only feed on dead wood. The good news is that they do not carry nasty
virus or bacterial diseases like some rodents or blood-sucking insects
(mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and bed bugs to name a few). They are even picky on
their choice of wood and will favor softer sappier pinewood over hardwood,
younger redwood or cedar. They will avoid the hardest and driest old-growth
redwood.

Subterranean termite swarmers are small (1/4 to 3/8th
of an inch) and black with see-through wings.

Drywood termite swarmers are medium (1/2 to 5/8th
of an inch) and maroon with see through wings.

Dampwood termite swarmers are large (3/4 to 1 inch) and
brown with a red/orange head and brown see through wings.

Where do Termites Come From?

Termites dating back
to the cretaceous period (125 million years ago) have been excavated, and
well-preserved termites were found in amber (fossilized tree sap) in the
Baltics. In entomology, termites belong to the Isoptera order and according to
Cornell University; there are 2761 known species of termites. Termites are
indigenous to warmer climates and depending of the specie, colonies can have
millions of members and several queens with secondary colonies. Termites have a
place in our ecosystem by braking down dead trees and returning them as carbon
rich nutrients to the soil. Unfortunately termites don’t distinguish dead trees
from lumber and are pests when they infest structures. The word “termite” comes
from Latin "termes" and from Greek
"tetranien", meaning "a worm eating wood".

In the US, Termites
are present in most coastal and southern states:

a)The
most popular is the Subterranean termite with several species depending on the
location

b)The
Drywood termite found in southern states from Virginia to California

c)The
Formosan termite found in coastal areas from North Carolina to southern Texas
and Hawaii

d)The
Dampwood termite found in the southwest, pacific coast states, Florida and
Hawaii

In Northern California
the three most common and indigenous species of termites are: Subterranean,
Drywood and Dampwood termites. Each has a different pattern of infestation,
different frass or debris and require different treatments, the details of
which are explained below.

Subterranean
Termites:

Common in California is the Western Subterranean Termite
(Reticultermes Hesperus). These termites nest in the ground and infest wood
below & above ground (debris, fences and structures). It is a common
misconception that termites do not eat redwood or cedar. They favor softer
woods like douglas fir and poplar, they will eat any and all dead wood that is
to their liking. Because redwood and cedar have a red tannin with a bitter
taste, termites will avoid it when the wood is recently cut. But with time the
tannin and bitter taste will dissipate and termite will eventually eat redwood
and cedar. Additionally, termites prefer softer sappier wood to harder denser
fibers and knots in the wood. This is why it is rear to find them in old growth
redwood.

Research from UC Riverside and UC Berkeley has shown that
Subterranean Termites will travel long distances, leaving trails of pheromones
as markers for colony members to reach the food source. Though they don’t
travel long distance at once, they pass the foraged food from one termite to
another until it reaches the nest where most colony members and the queen live.
Termite drones, workers and soldiers, and the queen are generally whitish or
cream colored, which is why they are sometimes called “white ants”. They are
cryptobiotic, meaning they live in a dark and enclosed environment with a specific
humidity and temperature. That is why they build mud tubes, against
foundations, posts and sometimes free standing, to reach the food source.

Treatment entails injecting a registered termiticide in soil
in areas of infestation and around the exterior perimeter of the structure.
Marin Termite uses minimal impact Altriset or Termidor termiticides and
provides a 5-year warranty against re-infestations of subterranean termites
with complete perimeter treatments. Both Altriset and Termidor are water based
products that are odorless, colorless and tasteless termiticide and attract
termites without impacting the soil, plants or emanating any smell, vapors or
fumes. Other termiticides like borate based TimBor or Boracare and orange oil
are not used for subterranean termite treatments as they are ineffective
against subterranean termites and toxic to plants. Subterranean termites will
often swarm on warm days following a rainfall from early spring to early fall.

Drywood
Termites:

Indigenous to California, the Bay Area and Marin County, the
Pacific Dark Western Drywood Termite (Incistermes Minor) from the
Kalotermitidae family is generally found infesting the warmer side of
structures. Unlike their subterranean cousins, the whole colony, queen,
soldiers and workers, all live within the infested wood members without any
ground contacts. Drywood termites infest the structure aerially by flying into
cracks and crevices or vents. Drywood termites swarm in hot static weather in
the summer or early fall (Indian summer). As their name indicates, they favor a
hotter and drier environment with certain air moisture content often found near
coastal areas. In Marin County, they are most often found near Tiburon,
Sausalito, Stinson Beach, Bolinas and Point Reyes, but also occasionally infest
other areas.

Drywood termites carve galleries within the wood members
producing fecal pellets that are stored in some areas. When Drywood Termite
workers decide do some “spring cleaning” they clear some of the galleries by
carving a kick-out hole on the surface of the wood through which they expel the
pellets then re-plugging the holes with pellets. When this happens in wall
voids, attics or crawlspaces, the infestation may remain undetected until it is
exposed or discovered. Sometimes, the pellets are expelled into living areas
though the sheetrock, door or window trims or from open beam ceilings. For
small infestations, a local treatment consists in injecting infested wood
members with Termidor termiticide and treating topically the infested wood with
a borate termiticide (TimBor or BoraCare). Other termiticides such as Premise
75, Optigard-ZT, XT-2000 orange oil are less succesful and are often used with
Termidor and/or TimBor or BoraCare. For larger infestations or inaccessible
areas like attics and ceilings, the structure needs to be tented and fumigated
with Sulfuryl Fluoride fumigant such as Vikane or Zythor.

Dampwood
Termites:

Indigenous to Northern California, Oregon and Southern
Washington states, the Pacific Dampwood (or Rottenwood) Termite (Zootermopsis
Angusticollis) is one of the largest varieties of termites on the planet at 30
millimeters with wings. This variety of termite requires a higher moisture
concentration to infest wood members and are most often found in fallen trees
and stumps in the forest and by water sources (creeks, streams, ponds, rivers,
lakes).

Occasionally they infest homes with plumbing leaks (toilets,
showers, kitchen and laundry rooms) or with wet faulty grade such as built-up
planters and exterior soil grade against wood siding. We also find them in
areas of moisture intrusion like below leaking roofs, skylights, faulty
flashing at windows, doors and exterior siding.

Treatment includes removing the moisture source and water
proofing areas of infestation as well as treating with a borate based
fungicide/termiticide like TimBor or BoraCare. Dampwood termites swarm in early
to late fall shortly before sunset because it is the warmest time of day. They
are big and attracted to lights like most insects and are often found caught in
spider webs near outside lights on indoors if any windows, doors or skylights
are slightly open.

How
Can I Prevent Termite Infestations?

Since termites are indigenous to California, the best we can
do is to deter them from infesting our homes:

e)Don’t store wood piles, compost and other wood bi-products in
subarea or against the house

f)Don’t build planter beds against the house and adjust
sprinklers to avoid spraying the building

And have a periodic inspection every 3 to 4 years. It is
long enough for a trained professional to detect infestations and not too long
for termites to cause substantial structural damage. A limited inspection and a
treatment is less costly than extensive structural damage found after many
years of infestation.

About Me

Marin Termite Control is a local family owned & operated pest control company. We have been serving Marin county since 1971 and provide quality pest inspections without any catchy marketing gimmicks or misleading information. We aim to provide rapid service, clear reports and effective pest solutions through recommendations and complete and local treatments